The Duke’s Eldest Son Escaped to the Military

Translator: Pai_

So that the Western Commander could focus on rebuilding the air force, Iron took on the responsibility of training and managing the soldiers, and the first thing he did was bring Carl from the northeast.

At the same time, all commanders except for the minimum needed to run the Mobile Field Army's headquarters were moved to the West.

And Carl was left at the Mobile Field Army's headquarters, which now had only the minimum force remaining.

That was because a high-ranking commander was needed to lead the place.

Also, as the Western Commander had said, Carl's help was needed for the Eastern Army to occupy the southern sea area.

-Commander, all 70 percent of the troops at the headquarters have completed their move to the West.

"Well done."

Iron slightly nodded at Carl's report and spoke.

"Help the Eastern Army set up an advance base there. It should be enough just to support supplies with the merchants."

-Understood.

Carl responded immediately to Iron's order.

Then, as if curious, Carl carefully asked Iron a question.

-By the way, when will you summon the Mobile Field Army to the West?

Iron tilted his head at Carl's question.

"How could I call them when the battle with the Ancient Species is at its peak?"

-Oh... didn't you know?

"What?"

Iron asked with a puzzled expression and looked at Faulden.

Then Faulden hurriedly pulled a report from his inner pocket and showed it.

"You're showing me this important report only now?"

"I was going to give it to you once the training plan for the Western reinforcements was completed."

At Faulden's words, Iron glanced at the pile of documents related to the training plan stacked on one side.

A massive stack of documents was piled there. Iron sighed and nodded.

After skimming through the report Faulden handed over, Iron could understand why the report submission had been delayed.

As the battle swayed back and forth and eventually began to favor them, they were gradually pushing the front line forward.

"We've already... almost reached it."

Iron looked at Faulden with a surprised expression.

"More importantly, a Master..."

"There are two expected candidates, but more could rise. If they receive rewards after the war with the Ancient Species ends, a few more candidates might become Masters."

Iron nodded at Faulden's report.

He had previously received a report that a few were showing signs of becoming Masters, and if they actually did, it meant they would be strong enough to contend with the Holy Alliance.

Since they had lost four Masters in the war with the Ancient Species, they needed not only to replenish that number but also to increase it.

"Still, it's not hopeless."

While looking at the report, Iron shifted his gaze to the section related to the two Family Heads.

It was written that they seemed to have gained some kind of enlightenment during the process of defeating the leaders of the dragons the two Family Heads had kept bound.

Such rapid growth was possible due to the rewards earned while facing the Ancient Species.

"Two more Grand Masters..."

Feeling like a bit of weight had been lifted from his shoulders, Iron smiled gently and finished reading the report.

It said that the system, as if gone crazy, had been distributing rewards every time an Ancient Species was defeated, and that the quality level of the troops couldn't even be compared to when Iron had left.

"At this rate, there's not much time left until the end of the war."

"That's right."

As Iron spoke while carefully reviewing the report, Faulden nodded in agreement.

Perhaps because the war was proceeding smoothly, there were hardly any unexpected variables.

For a large-scale war, the casualties were relatively minor, and overall they were steadily pushing the front line forward, so with time, the war would end in victory for the human forces.

"I need to hurry."

"It seems so."

At Faulden's reply, Iron turned his head toward the communication sphere.

It wasn't that he didn't trust the contents of the report, but he also needed the thoughts of someone who had recently stayed in the northeast.

"Carl."

-Yes.

"Do you think so too? Does it look like the war is coming to an end?"

When Iron asked Carl, Carl hesitated for a moment before answering quietly.

-I can't be certain, but it seems that way. We've already defeated most of the Ancient Species' army, and even the newly awakened Ancient Species are being held back without much difficulty.

"Will it be okay even if the Eastern Army pulls out?"

-Yes.

At Carl's confident reply, Iron gave a small nod.

Hearing that the Northeast was being handled well put his mind at ease.

Now, it seemed like all he had to worry about was facing the Holy Alliance.

Just as Iron was sweeping away the last bit of lingering anxiety in his mind.

-It's not just the Eastern Army.

"Hm?"

At Carl's words, Iron looked at the communication sphere with a questioning expression.

-The main force of the Eastern Army has already withdrawn, and the remaining units are also hastening their retreat preparations. And what's more, other units are also beginning to prepare for withdrawal following them.

"Other units too?"

-Yes.

At Carl's report, Iron fell into thought.

First, he gave Carl the order to continue managing the Mobile Field Army headquarters, then looked over the report again.

With the retreat of the Frost Giant, humanity's forces now had the upper hand in the war, and as time passed, the power difference was growing more extreme.

If they had this much leeway, they must be deliberately delaying the attack on the giant ice mass.

'Are they waiting for the two Family Heads?'

With that thought, Iron called out to Faulden.

"Faulden."

"Yes."

"Contact Commander Jaiden Wicks."

At Iron's command, Faulden immediately summoned the communications officer to the commander's office.

After a short while, the communications officer arrived and connected a direct line to the northeast.

-Yo! Long time no see.

Jaiden Wicks greeted Iron with a relaxed smile.

"It's been a while."

-Yeah. What brings a busy man like you to contact me?

"I have something I'd like to discuss."

At Iron's words, Jaiden Wicks wiped the joking tone from his voice.

-What is it?

"Before that, I'd like to ask you something."

-Go ahead.

"That giant ice mass… is it possible to attack it right now?"

At Iron's question, Jaiden Wicks remained silent for a moment.

-If we pushed it?

"By any chance… are you waiting for the two Family Heads?"

When Iron asked cautiously, Jaiden Wicks let out a sigh and answered.

-That's right. Since it's come to this, I thought we'd coordinate the assault with their appearance. But… it's taking longer than I expected.

When Jaiden Wicks spoke with a sigh, Iron clenched his fist, realizing his guess was correct.

"In that case, since we've come this far, could you delay it a little longer?"

-Is it… because of the next Apocalypse?

"Yes, the Western Army still isn't fully prepared. If we can buy a bit more time, once we're ready…"

-Unfortunately… I don't think that's going to be possible.

At Jaiden Wicks' words, Iron tilted his head.

"What do you mean…?"

-It seems this system doesn't take kindly to us trying to game it.

Jaiden Wicks said that and let out a deep sigh.

Iron frowned at his words, puzzled.

To clarify, Jaiden Wicks explained what had happened in the northeast.

Ever since the two Family Heads entered secluded training, the system had been granting enormous rewards to the human army with each Ancient Species defeated.

However, when Jaiden Wicks tried to deliberately stall in order to minimize losses, suddenly a notification rang out to all soldiers.

[Attack the remnants of Heurimre, guarded by the Ancient Species, within the next month! For every overdue day, rewards will decrease and penalties will be applied.]

Hearing that they had received such a notification, Iron's expression soured.

-I also heard what you told the Governor General. It's to delay the 4th Apocalypse, isn't it?

"…Yes."

-Unfortunately… that's no longer an option.

At Jaiden Wicks' words, Iron let out a quiet sigh.

As expected, they weren't going to be allowed to take the easy way out.

"…How much time is left?"

-At most, three weeks. Ideally, we should wrap it up safely before then. If… the two Family Heads finish their training early, it could happen even sooner.

Since no one knew what kind of variables might arise, they needed to launch a full-scale offensive with at least a week to spare.

From a commander's standpoint, pursuing the safest operation by eliminating as many variables as possible was the right approach, so Iron understood as well.

The lack of preparation on the Western Army's part was their own issue, and it wasn't something the northeast could concern itself with.

"We'll need to prepare as quickly as possible."

-I've heard about the situation in the West. Once the war starts, I'll finish things up here as fast as I can and join you.

"Thank you."

After finishing the call with Jaiden Wicks, Iron looked at Faulden with a serious expression.

"Deploy our troops into training as soon as they arrive."

"Yes."

The situation clearly seemed to be turning urgent.

'This movement by the Holy Alliance Army... did they anticipate this?'

Ever since the war with the Ancient Species in the northeast ended, enemy forces had been stationed all around the Empire as if they were preparing to start a war immediately.

Their movements seemed like they were planning to strike all at once.

If that was the case, then this side also had to show responsive action.

Since all of the Empire's elite forces were currently in the northeast, at the very least, the Western front had to hold out until they arrived.

That's why Iron didn't stop at just training but began executing more proactive operations.

"Send out reconnaissance as soon as training finishes on this side, beyond the front line."

"Yes."

"I heard our Rangers in the northeast don't have much to do, call them over. We'll build an advance base with them."

"Understood."

"They killed all the dragons this time, right? Then we won't need the air force. Bring in the 22nd Corps and deploy them at the front line with the Western Army."

"Yes, sir!"

To buy even a little more time, Iron deployed scouting forces to the front lines to monitor enemy movements.

And he steadily carried out everything from various traps to preparations for field battles.

Since the government was providing generous support, there were no shortages in supplies.

And with troops gathering from every region, the numbers were sufficient.

The only thing lacking was real combat experience.

To compensate for that, they underwent intense short-term training, and through reconnaissance missions, they clashed with enemy scouts and engaged in small-scale battles to build up combat experience.

There were bound to be some sacrifices, but to ensure that soldiers had at least some combat experience before a full-scale war, there was no other way.

They deliberately trained near enemy camps to provoke them, then fought the enraged attackers and pushed them back.

Small skirmishes with the enemy occurred all over the Western front, increasing the tension of the war.

During this time, the northeastern front continued to advance, finally reaching the point where they could see the giant ice mass that was the remnant of Heurimre.

"Is it almost time?"

Iron muttered to himself as he looked at the calendar.

Before he realized it, three weeks had passed.

Considering how rushed the preparations had been, the Western front was functioning relatively well, and the Western Army was more or less ready.

"Reporting in. The two Family Heads have completed their secluded training and joined the battlefield."

At the communications officer's report, Iron closed his eyes as if to say, "It's finally here."

With the two Family Heads returning, victory in the northeast was virtually assured.

"They've broken through the wall?"

"We're not sure about that yet. However... the Northern Commander has declared the war over."

"They've ascended."

If the Northern Commander said that much, then it was safe to assume they'd broken through the wall.

As Iron smiled softly upon hearing the news of the two Family Heads.

"Re... reporting! Frost Giants have appeared!"

At the sudden report from the communications officer, Iron and Faulden turned to look at him urgently.

"Is that all?"

"N... no. Strangely, the Frost Giants are not joining the Ancient Species' front. Also, the number of Frost Giants that have gathered is only a few dozen."

Iron tilted his head at the report.

"Why...?"

He couldn't understand why they were only appearing now or why there were only a few dozen of them.

'Are they looking for the King's remnants? But if so, why did only a few dozen come?'

He had such thoughts, but there was no way he could head to the northeast right now.

Moreover, with the two Family Heads having broken through the wall, victory for humanity was all but certain.

Even if the Frost Giants joined the battle, it wouldn't change the outcome now.

Trusting in that, Iron accelerated his preparations for the war with the Holy Alliance Army.

And then, the very next day.

"Commander! We've received urgent news, the war in the northeast has ended in victory!"

Along with the communications officer's report, a notification sound rang out for Iron.

***

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